Illuminated display



Aug-'4, 1931 H. sARAI-'IAN I -ILLUMINATED DISPLAY Filed Oct. 12,A 1929 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTO- H0@ Mfg/olv BY @Wl 0 ATT M FYS.

Aug; 4, 1931. H. sARAFlAN 1,817,397

ILLUMINATED DISPLAY Filed Oct. 12, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORHw'yafqwm BY @Mx-MM@ I dwz 4.4', ATT NEYS.

50i The invention kmay Patented Aug. 4, 1931 :UNITED STATES PATENToFF-1er.

HAIG SARAAN, or'. NEW Yemen. Y., Assrenon fro NOVEL-ITE, me.. Aconfort-Nuon OFNEWYORK f Immvrmnrnn nrsrmy 'Appucaeoa mea october 12,'1929. serian No. 399,112.

My present invention. While having 'a Wide range ott applicability, isespecially `adapted for embodiment in'any illuminated display iiitureorsign board for use in storewindo'ws,

i 5 theatre lobbies and other locations Where conipactness andreadyportability are desired.

, An object'of the invention is to provide a sign-carrying displaydevice of 'striking and `1.5 portin in any desired location yof use andunlike y to betoppled overor inadvertently damaged by casualhan'dling orjest-ling.

More speciically these .results are 'accoms `plished despite the useofinherently fragile 53 mechanism such as neon tubes-onthefazceofthesign.

In a preferred embodimentvofthe invern tion a signboardproperissupported upon a relatively heavy `.anti-tilting pedestalv and .is isformed ivith suitable framing-openings in Which illuminated .selectivelychangeable display signs are mounted. f y The sign yboard and pedestalare so de sign-ed that in themselves, theyatford an ato tractivemounting and borderfoihthe signs but for purposes of further-enhancingthe beauty of the. device, particularly atnght, thesie'n elementsareframed ywith yone-or. more border-forming. ...neon tubes Aer equivw :3lent devices.

The tubes are sunk4 in the face of thesigri to avoid casual injury.Rather thanresortfte expensive rabbetinlfv yoru grooving= operationstoprovide a protective tuberchannel; the-sign 0 border fraineis formed .intwo concentric sec.

tions, spaced apart suiii'ciently to `define a border channel for thetubes and rigidly `held together by a concealed. connective Strip whichserves astl're bot-toni ofthe; tube groove.

.45 This strip also preventsmoisture or foreign matter fronifindingready access totlie lamp casing behind `the :panel rand vfouling theswitches or other electrical terminals .which may be housed therein.

4on the vlines be more fully andere` stood'froln the followingdescription in eennection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: v

Fig. l is a front elevational View of la dis- 'play device `embodyingthe invention);

Fig. 211s a side elevation-a1 view thereof with part of the lamp easing'broken away and 'in section; j'

Figs. aand 4 are transverse sectional views on 'the lines' A and le-4,respectively, of Fig. l; e f

Figs. 5 and '6 are enlarged sectional` details and M6, respectively, -ef

Figi. l;

v Fie. 7 is a' transverse sectional detailenthe l vFigr isha sectionthrough Fig'. V'7 entire 11m ses.

.designates Va relatively massive pedestal from Which rises the uprightsign board or vvpanel consisting offen outer `frame ymember 11, andal1/inner -rarnemeniberl-Q. These'frame members are spacedeon'centrically, one withL in the other and connected by rigid metalstrips 13, nailed or otherivise secured at vto thebac'ks 'of therespective rfrarnesanrfl yse1`*vinp to secure the frames together andde` fine with :them an open -front channel or groove 34,-for thereception of the ornarne'na tal neon border tubes I5, which will. bemore fully described hereinafter.

An ofen-front lamp casinglyis secu-red -at .its 'edges to the outerframingjnrembe 11, 'this lamp easing being bottomed on the pedestal andhaving a hingeddoor'fl? at one side tol prov-ide access to the lamps 1S,flasher' switch 19, and other mechanisms `vv'itliin 'the easing.

The door 17 .also permits the read;i movalofthe sign unitswhich are@lispy` yed Wthinfthe framing spaces defined by the in; ner panel 12 andby suitable' crossmembers 2O which connect the uprights of this iframe.Preferably certain-of the up'er framing spaces such as 121 are4vp'ro'xf'iele' with glass lvvindovers 22, `the edgesfof the glassresting againstlrearwardly `facing slfimilde'r 23 at the Opening 4andbeing heid in plm bries e4- er equivalentdevices;V

In'the `drawings the reference numeral 10 CTX Displays of anyappropriate type may be mounted behind windows 22, and illuminated bylamps 18. For illustrative purposes changeable letter sign units 25 areshown, of the type disclosed in the prior Patent #1,662,407 toHerrschaft, granted .the thirteenth day of March, 1923. These signs aresupported upon horizontal rails 26 and may be entered between the railsby a lateral sliding movement when the door 17 1s open.

An additional display may be arranged 1n the lower framing opening 27.This display consists of a flexible sign card 23, held between the flatglass plates 29. The edges of the card and glass plates are received ina recess 30 at the back ol the sign and are held in position byretaining rails 31 nailed or otherwise secured at 32 to the member 12and the cross bars 20.

It will be noted that the pedestal 10 is more or less ornamental. Theconcentric frames 11 and 12 may also be decorated in any appropriatemanner and additional ornamentation may be atlorded by cap or crownpieces 33 mounted upon the-top of the outer frame 11.

' This display thus constructed provides an "attractive frame for theilluminated signs,

the attention-compelling qualities of which are enhanced by the flasherswitch for the lamps within the casing 16. In order to avoid needlesscomplexity of illusration I have not shown the conventional circuits forthese lamps but they are connected by well known means in series orparallel through the flasher switch.

In order, however, that the striking appearance of the sign may befurther enhanced and its advertisingas well as artistic value may beincreased, I do not rely upon the opaque mounting and framing meansalone for decorative purposes, I rather employ a luminous border framein the form of a neon tube 15 disposed in the channel 34 defined betweenthe frames 11 and 12 and the connective strips 13.

An advantage of this luminous framing means is the tact that even whenthe sign isdisplayed in obscure corners Where the opaque decorativepanelling and pedestal do now show up conspicuously, the luminousdisplay is still surrounded by a handsome and sharply defined border.

By mounting the neon tube in the channel 34, itis effectively protectedagainst casual injury, such for instance, as might be Caused by personsjostling the sign in a theatre lobby or by careless handling in movingit about in store windows.

Numerous means for mounting the tube within its channel may be resortedto and thetube may either comprise a single luminous element or mayLcomprise a plurality of independent sections of tubing. The color ofthe tube or tubes may either harmonize or contrast with the colors ofthe illuminated sign and where a plurality of framing tubes` are used,these tubes may harmonize or contrast in color with each o'her.

One convenient and satisfactory method of securing the tube in place anda method which materially facilitates assembly operations or repairoperations is herein illustrated. In accordance with this method thetube is formed in two generally U shaped sections with their longerintermediate portions lying in the vertical runs of channel 34, andtheir legs lying in the top and bottom horizontal portions of thechannel. Each end of each tube is provided with a rearwardly extendingterminal section 15a, the upper terminals being series connected as at15b and the lower terminals having leads 15c to any suitable source ofelectrical energy (not shown).

The tube rsections are embraced at a number oli' points by spring clips35 of generally U shape having flat intermediate portions 35a and curvedarms which embrace the tube. The extremities of these arms are flared at35h, so that the clips snap over the tubes as they are forced intoposition to straddle or embrace them. The clips may be lined withcushioning material 36, in order to protect the tubes. In assembly theclips are snapped over the tube and in this position are of a width toapproximately till the channel 34. l1`he tube and clips are thenemplaced in the channel and the clips are slid along the tubes untiltheir iat intermediate portions hook over lingers 37, fixed to andollset from the plate 13. When assembly has thus been accomplished it isimpossible for the tubeand clips to all out as a unit due to theengagement of the clips with the lingers or hoons, and it is impossiblet0 remove tlie tubes from the clips since the walls of the channel Silprevent sui'iicient spreading of the clips to permit escape of the tubestherefrom.

It will thus be seen that the tubes are elflectively guarded againstboth casual injury or inadvertent displacement, yet may be deliberatelyremoved for purposes olf repair or inspection.

As noted above, the wiring connections are not in themselves myinvention but it will be obvious'that many attractive combinations ofelectrical hook-ups may be employed to flash the border tubes or thesign illuminating lamps simultaneously or separately and that either setof luminous elements may beV continuously illuminated while the otherset is switched on and oil' by the thermostatic'llasher 19 orequivalentl device. For the sake of convenience I have shown a handswitch 40 arranged within the lamp casing 16 so all switch mechanism aswell as the bulbs and tubes are entirely sell:- contained upon the unitand the unit may,

without disturbing any of thegmechanis'm therein, be hooked up to .anordinary wall plug or any other conventional outlet.

'be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention what rI claim as new and desire tosecure by Lety ters Patent is l. In a display device of the classdescribed, a sign board having an opening therein, means to mount aSignat theopening, a tubular luminous border member substantiallysurrounding the opening, the sign board being recessed to receive andprotect such border member, and means for illuminating the sign and theborder member.

2. A display sign including a pair of substantially concentric framemembers disposed one within the other and having their edges spacedapart, concealed connective means disposed behind the frames "rigidlyconnecting them in properly spaced relationship and serving as a bottomfor the groove defined between the frames, means to display a sign inthe inner frame and al luminous border tube housed `within thek onewithin the otherfand having their edges spaced apart, concealedconnective means disposed behind the frames rigidly connecting them inproperly spaced relationship and serving as a bottom forthe groovedefined between the frames, meansto display a sign in the inner frameand means to removably mount a border member in the groove.

4. A display sign including a pair of substantially concentric framemembers disposed one within the other and having their edges spacedapart, concealed connective means disposed behind the frames rigidlyconnecting them in properly spaced relationship and serving as a. bottomfor the groove defined between thev frames, means to display a sign inthe inner frame and a luminous border element removably mounted in thegroove f one within the other and having their edges spacedapart,fconcealed connective means disposed behind the frames rigidlyconnecting them in` properly Vspaced relationship vand serving as.-abottom for the .groove defined between the frames, meansfto display asign in the inner fra-me, -a luminous border tube housedwithinthecgroove, fastener elements slidrable along the tube and meansfixed to the connectivemeans for engagement with the fastening elements.

.6. A display sign including a pair of substantially concentric framemembers disposed one within the other and having their edges spacedapart, concealed connective means disposed behind the frames rigidlyconnecting them in properly spaced relationship and serving as a bottomfor thegroove defined 'between the frames,y means to display a sign inthe inner frame, a luminous border tube housed .within the groove,fastener elements slidable along the tube and means fixed to thezconnective `means for engagementk with .the fastening elements, saidslidable fasteners being incapable of being disengaged by a posed behindthe frames rigidlyconnectin'g them in properly spaced relationship Aandserving .as a bottom for the groove defined between the frames, means todisplay Ia sign in the inner frame, 'a luminous vborder 'tube housedwithin the groove, fastener elements slidabfle along the tube, andmeansfixedto .the connectivemeans for yengagement with the fasteningelements, said slidable elements Vcomprising spring clips adaptedto snapover the tube and of such a width that the walls of fthe groove holdthem against sufficient kspreading to permit release of the tube whilethe clips are in the groove.

y8. An illuminateddisplay unit including apedestal, .a panel risingtherefrom, a lamp case behind the panel,.means for removably mountingtranslucent display signs Vin the panel,-a luminous border tubeencircling the f sign elements and means on the pane'lto receive andprotect said tube.

9. An'illuminated Adisplay unit including a pedestal, a panel risingtherefrom, a lamp case behind the panel, means for removably mountingtranslucent display signs in the panel, a luminous border tubeencircling the sign elements and means Aonthe Vpanel toreceive andprotect said tube, the tube being releasably secured to liesubstantially vflush with the outer face of the panel.

110.1111 a display device,'a tubular display element, said displaydevice having a groove therein to receive and protect said tube,fastener elements slidable along the tube and means arrangedin thebottom of ythe ,groove Afor.engagementwith said fastener elements. i

' element, said display device having a groove therein to receive andprotect said tube, fastener elements slidable along the tube, meansarranged in the bottom of the groove for engagement with said fastenerelements, said slidable elements comprising spring clips adapted to snapover the tube and of such a width that the walls of the groove hold themagainst sui'licient sliding to permit release of the tubes while theclips are in the groove.

12. 1n a display device, a tubular display element, said display devicehaving a groove therein to receive and protect said tube, fastenerelements slidable along the tube, means arranged in the bottom of thegroove for engagement with said fastener elements, said slidableelements comprising spring clips adapted to .slide over the tube and ofsuch a width that the walls of the groove hold them against suiiicientsliding to permit release of the tubes while the clips are in thegroove,

the clips when engaged Vith the engaging means at Vthe bottom of thegroovebeing incapable of disengagement by a direct outward movement.

13. A display device including a frame having a border, a sign memberwithin said frame surrounded by said border and a tubular luminousmember encircling said sign and encompassed by said border, said memberbeing mounted inwardly from the face of said border.

14. A display device including a frame having a border, a signl memberwithin said frame surrounded by said border and a tubular luminousmember encircling said sign and encompassed by .said border, said signand member being mounted inwardly from the face of said border.

15. display device including a frame having a border', a sign memberwithin said frame surrounded by said border and a tubular luminousmember encircling said sign and encompassed by said border, said signand member being mounted inwardlyy from the face of said border, saidmember being positioned between the face of the border and the sign.

16. A display device including a sign, a frame therefor extendingforwardly therefrom and including a border and a tubular luminous membermounted within said frame and encircling said sign and being positionedforwardly from the sign and rearwardly from the face of the border.

17. A display device including a sign, a frame therefor extendingforwardly therefrom and including a bord-er and a tubular luminousmember mounted` within said frame and encircling said sign and beingpositioned forwardly from the sign and rearwardly from the'face of theborder and securing means for said member carried by said frame.

18. A -display device including a border frame member, a second framemember disposed within said border frame member and spaced therefrom, asign member disposed within the inner frame member, and a tubularluminous member disposed within the space formed between said framemembers.

19. A display device including a border frame member, a second framemember disposed within said border frame member and spaced therefrom, a.sign member disposed within the inner frame member, a wall memberdisposed in the space between said frame members, defining with saidframe members a channel, and serving as a backing for said channel, anda luminous tube disposed within said channel.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,this 10th dav @if october, A. D. 1929.

HAIG SARAFIAN.

